Older versions of the layout, called the Southwest Long and Narrow, were written up in the August 1995 and August 1998 issues of the Switcher. In its current form the layout is constructin what was formerly a carport, measuring approximately 17' by 13'.

The SL&N began life as a 4' by 16' railroad and grew into one that is U shaped. The longest arm on the layout, on the west side of the carport, is 16 feet long. The shortest arm, on the east side, is 12 feet. Overall width of the layout at the base of the U is 12 feet.

The mainline spans the entire layout. The design also includes two reversing loops, a short line, two runaround tracks, multiple sidings to a number of industrial areas, and a trolley line. Power to the layout is provided byh two Lionel ZW transformers that power trains, lights, and accessoriesss, and a KW that activates 19 022 Lionel postwar switches.

There are many postwar Lionel accessories and structures, and a few MTH accessories. Building kits and Plasticville structures are also scattered around the layout.

The locale is Southwestern desert with sand, scrub brush, and cactus.

A Lionel TMCC Cab I, in conjunction with a Powermaster and Command Base,is used to run the trains and control the switches. All switches are actived with SC-2s. At present most locos are run in conventional mode. One command ready loco is used on the layout and two others are scheduled for command control retrofits.

Most of the motive power and rolling stock on the layout is a combination of MTH, K Line and Williams. Now that TMCC has become a major part of the layout any new motive power will be either Lionel or manufacturers that use the TMCC system.

Below is a picture of the longest leg of the layout on the west side of the building.

This is a picture of the base of the U section of the layout, facing south. It is primarily and industrial area.

This is the east leg of the layout.

This is a small railroad storage area on the west leg of the layout. The "shed" is a repainted Marx boxcar that my wife picked up at a garage sale.

This is a small hobo village in back of the main drag on west leg.

Main Street in Plasticville. Virtually all structures and accessories are postwar Plasticville and Lionel. You can see an English triple decker bus. This is Plasctiville's answer to the London Bridge at Lake Havasu in Arizona. Plasticville couldn't afford a tourist attraction like the London Bridge so they settled on an English triple decker bus. (Actually it was found at a yard sale by my wife and I liked it so much I found a place for it on the layout.)

Main control panel with KW, ZW, Powermaster, and Command Base. Railrax squeezed in below layout.

Lionel coal, cattle, and lumber accessories in one area.

Small industrial area at south end of the west leg. Structures are Korber and Walthers kits.

Close up of structure in the industrial area, Bob's Storage Co., named after me.